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How to register

If you missed Friday’s registration, you can register your bicycle free of charge during regular business hours at the Law Enforcement Center, 320 W. Fourth St. The bicycle doesn’t have to be present, but the owner should bring its serial number when registering. Forms are available online at www.siouxfalls.org/police.

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Shirley Cunningham made it her priority Friday to register her 10-year-old granddaughter’s bicycle during a special bike registration in southwestern Sioux Falls.

On average, 100 to 200 bicycles go missing or are reported stolen in Sioux Falls each year, according to Sioux Falls police. Cunningham hopes her granddaughter’s bicycle doesn’t become a statistic.

“Bikes are easily stolen,” Cunningham said, “and it’s a new bike, and we would like to keep it.”

Getting your bicycle registered doesn’t guarantee it won’t be stolen or end up missing, but it helps police find the owner if it’s recovered.

It’s rare for police to recover a bicycle that has been registered, police officer Verlyn Blevenberg said. Most recovered bicycles aren’t registered, and end up being donated to charities or given to the South Dakota Penitentiary to be refurbished, Blevenberg said. Police spokesman Sam Clemens said only a handful of stolen bicycles last year were registered.

On Friday, police hosted a three-hour bicycle registration as part of a campaign called “Fun in the Sun” at Kuehn Park, near Roosevelt High School. Registration was free. Bicycles can be registered anytime during regular business hours at the Law Enforcement Center, 320 W. Fourth St. Once registered, a decal is placed on the bicycle.

Blevenberg said victims who report their bicycle stolen know little about the bicycle, such as its serial number or identifiers, and that makes it hard for police to find its owner.

“When you register the bikes, we write down the serial number, identifiers, the wheel size, the color and any other way we can identify it, and then you have a better chance of getting your bike back if it is lost or stolen,” Blevenberg said.

A handful of police officers were at the park recruiting passing bicyclists. The department held a similar effort last year

A group of police officers and firefighters welcomed bicyclists and helped with registration. Bike safety tips were offered, and officers also explained the importance of proper hydration while in the sun. Bottle water was provided to those registering their bicycles.

Lydia Pearson registered her bicycle Friday. She came with her grandpa.

“I came because I don’t want my bicycle taken and if it is, I hope this helps,” Pearson said.